Saint Joseph County MI Archives Biographies.....Gentzler, Adam July 12, 1827 -
************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 18, 2007, 9:08 pm
Author: Chapman Brothers
ADAM GENTZLER. In reviewing the career of this gentleman, we must admit that
the lines have apparantly fallen to him in pleasant places. Of a temperament
genial, pleasant and companionable, he is a man who at once secures the
confidence and esteem of all whose good fortune it is to make his
acquaintance. He is a universal favorite in the social and business circles
of Constantine, and occupies a well-appointed home on section 11. He has a
comfortable dwelling, a particularily good barn, and the other out-buildings
necessary for the modern agriculturist, and has gathered around him all of the
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Generous and public-spirited, he
has not thought alone on his own interests, but as he has had opportunity has
uniformly labored for the best interests of his community. The example of
such a man is everywhere felt, and is untold in its results.
The Gentzler family came originally from Wurtemberg, Germany. The first
emigrant came here with his wife prior to the Revlution. He was, we believe,
named Conrad, and was the great-grandfather of our subject. He enlisted in
the Continental Army, and served seven years, or during the entire struggle
for independence. On receiving his discharge, and being about to set out for
his home, he was shot and instantly kiled, by mistake of a sentinel. He left
a wife and three sons at his home in York County, Pa. His widow again
married, and lived to an extreme old age, being past ninety at the time of her
death. Of the sons, Philip lived and died in York County, Pa.; he lived to be
ninty-four years old, and was father of fourteen children. Conrad removed to
McConnellsville, Pa., where he owned a hotel. He is supposed to have taken
part in shay's rebellion, as about that time he disappeared, and his property
was never claimed.
George Gentzler, grandfather of Adam, was the youngest son. He was born
shortly after his father entered the patriot army, probably in the latter part
of 1775 or 1777, in York County, Pa. He worked at shoemaking but after his
marriage became a farmer, settling in Washington Township, in his native
county. He was successful in his chosen voaction, and accumulated
considerable property. He died of cancer, in his sixty-fifth year. His wife
was Margaret Law, also a native of York County. She survived her husband many
years, emigrating to Michigan with her son Jacob, and dying at White Pigeon in
1857, aged eighty-four. Jacob was the only child of George and Margaret
Gentzler, and was born in Washington Township, York County, Pa., Dec. 16,
1798. He was married to Elizabeth Speck, Oct 14, 1819. She was born in
Lancaster County, Pa., Jan. 14, 1800. After a few years sojourn in their
native state, they gathered together their personal effects and made their way
to the young and growing State of Michigan. Coming to this county in 1849,
the father first settled on a tract of land in White Pigeon Township, but
later they removed to Florence Township, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. Jacob Gentzler looked his last upon the scenes of earth at the
old homestead, May 16, 1871. The mother survived her husband twelve years,
dying June 20, 1883.
To the parents of our subject there were born eleven children, as follows:
Margaret was twice married, first to Peter Stickle, of York County, Pa., and
after his death to John Alvey, of Florence Township, this county; George died
at his farm in Park Township; Martin was accidently scalded to death in
childhood; John was killed at the age of sixteen, by kick of a colt; Elizabeth
died in Kansas, where she had removed with her husband, Richard Stokes. The
survivors of the family are: Catherine, widow of Leonard Kapp, of Fabius
Township; Adam was next; William, unmarried is a resident of Nottawa Township;
Mary Ann is the wife of Solomon Chronister, of Florence Township; of Jacob a
sketch is given elsewhere; Sarah A. lives in Nottawa Township, and is the wife
of Henry Limbach, formerely treasurer of St. Joseph County. Adam Gentzler,
our subject, was born in Washington Township, York County, Pa., July 12,
1827. His childhood and youth were spent amid the quiet pursuits of farm
life, but when approaching manhood, like many of that age, desirous of a
change, engaged in a woolen-mill for a period of four years. Aside from this
he has been engaged in farming all his life. He remained a resident of his
native county until coming to Michigan in April, 1853, joining his parents
after they had resided here a period of four years. He had then been married,
and now took up a tract of land in Park Township, upon which he operated
twelve years, then removed to Constantine Township, of which he has since been
a resident.
Mr. Gentzler was married in Caroll Township, York Co., Pa., July 12, 1849 to
Miss Lydia A. Lehmer, who was born there Feb. 19, 1828. Mrs. Gentzler is the
daughter of John and Susannah (Fickes) Lehmer, who were natives of York
County, Pa., and spent their last days in this county, both dying in
Constantine. This lady became the mother of five children, and departed this
life at the homestead in Constantine Township, Aug. 18, 1885. Their eldest
son, Jacob L., is farming on his own land not far from the homestead; Susan
died in infancy; John R. is a resident of Florence Township; Elizabeth N.
married George W. Hamilton, of Constantine; Mary E. became the wife of B. H.
Sevison, and died at her home in Florence Township in August 1880.
Our subject has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church a period of
forty-five years, his parents and grandparents having also long been members
of the same church. Of this church his estimable wife was also an adherent
for many years before her death. She was a good woman in the broadest sense
of the term, benevolent and charitable, and was connected with the Ladies' Aid
Society. Mr. Gentzler attained his majority in his native State, and cast his
first Presidential vote for Lewis Cass. He has ever since been a staunch
supporter of the Democratic party. While a resident of Park Township he was a
member of the School Board, and held the offices of Justice of the Peace and
Highway Commissioner. He is of a retiring disposition, however, in nowise
anxious for the responsibilities of public life, preferring to give his
attention to his farm and his fireside. Of late years he has turned his
attention largely to stock-raising, also buying and shipping. His farm
embraces 193 acres of good land, which has been brought to a thorough state
of cultivation, and is valued at a good round sum.
Additional Comments:
Transcribed from the Portrait & Biographical Album of St. Joseph Co. Chapman
Brothers 1889
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/stjoseph/bios/gentzler679gbs.txt
This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/
File size: 7.4 Kb